Hello. My name is Brady Slinger and I am a country boy from Nashville, TN. If you were already wondering, no I do not have country accent nor do a lot of people in Nashville. I am going in to my junior year at all boys high school just outside of downtown. My passion for biology and genetics really began after taking Biology my freshman year. The material we covered always interested me, and our labs were also fascinating. I knew I might want to consider Biology for my career after I lectured my mom about the human body during an entire road trip. I participated in Science Olympiad my freshmen year but was unable to continue it this year due to baseball. Baseball is by far my favorite sport when watching or playing. I started on Varisity at my school as a sophomore and also played up this year in summer ball. In fact my season just ended on Saturday. Besides baseball I also enjoy singing. I am in the chamber choir at my school and as a group we qualified for the state competition. I also made mid-state choir this year only missing all-state by 8 spots. I also have a knack for Latin and I am one of the best translators at my school. Well that's all about me. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and learning more about Biological Research.
Methane hydrates are formations of ice which trap methane molecules within its cage-like structure. They can be found under Arctic permafrost, on the ocean floor, and inside glaciers. When warmed or depressurized, the hydrate will dissociate into water and methane, and the natural gas can be extracted by drills. In energy content, the separated methane could potentially exceed all other fossil fuels combined. Although the extraction of this natural gas seems beneficial, it can be harmful to the atmosphere if not harvested properly. The methane released from this ice can quickly accelerate the earth’s carbon cycle by releasing 164 cubic meters of gas per cubic meter of hydrate. The effect of that kind of release would be devastating on the atmosphere. There are bacteria existing in nature that “eat” or metabolize methane; however, they only act when there are large incidents such as oil spills or dramatic temperature changes. The ultimate goal is develop a system that prevents methane releases before they occur.
There are presently three current solutions to methane emission into the atmosphere. For example, governmental agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy conduct research by mapping the ocean in search of methane hydrate concentrations. Researchers also predict methane’s effect on climate and the environment. However, even if the location of these hydrates can be determined, not every harmful area can be accounted for. Methane will continue to be released at an increasing rate into the atmosphere. Another solution to this greenhouse gas was found by MIT in 2012 during an oil spill. Scientists discovered that whenever there was a sudden appearance of methane, methanotrophs become active and metabolized the molecule. After intensive research, they found that a certain gene, called HpnR, controls this process. The problem with this bacteria is that they only act when there is a large change in gas levels. Therefore, small but still harmful accumulations of methane are ignored by the bacteria and can continue to act as a damaging greenhouse gas. A third solution is simply to extract it from the ice before methane emissions reach alarming levels. Besides the fact that some methane escapes due to the extraction process, obtaining the energy is extremely expensive. Specialized drills must be used to pump hot water and carbon dioxide into the formation so that the methane can be released. Although these technologies are effective, natural gas is still weakening the Earth’s atmosphere. Genetically modifying bacteria and inserting genes solves these major lapses and further improves harvesting methods.
So that methane levels can be regulated, a methanotroph or methane-eating bacteria must be genetically modified so that its activity is accelerated in the presence of CH4. The design of this project revolves around the insertion of a single gene, HpnR. This bacterial gene enables microbes to survive in an oxygen-depleted environment until food such as methane becomes available. The HpnR gene codes for a protein that later produces a lipid known as 3-methylhopanoids. The production of this lipid explains why microbes are able to make such a sudden appearance during favorable conditions. However, this specific gene is limited to certain bacteria. Only organisms who depend on a fluctuating food source like methane have the HpnR gene. But, because of recent advancements in synthetic biology, the ability to insert a new gene into a bacteria now exists by use of the plasmid, a ring of bacterial DNA. This process can be used to insert the HpnR gene into methane-consuming bacteria that survive near methane hydrates. If introduced to these plasmids, these methane munchers would increase in population around large amounts of the hydrate. However, if the bacteria finds a sizable volume researchers and scientists would not know. Therefore, if a glowing pigment, such as GFP was produced by the bacteria in response to the presence of CH4, scientists could identify a large population of methane-eating bacteria and consequently methane hydrate. The Cell design:
Methane 4.png
The ideal execution of this process can lead to dramatic advances in containing and locating methane hydrates. If the design functions as created, the environmental stimulus would trigger two genes to be activated. First the methane from the environment binds with the receptors on the membrane. Then, by means of a biochemical cascade, the secondary messengers trigger the promoter which initiates a sequence that creates mRNA. The mRNA is then sent to a ribosome to carry out its function. If the bacteria behaves properly, there should be two immediate changes in the world of methane hydrates. The amount of emissions released into the atmosphere will decrease dramatically, and the fluorescent protein will allow researchers to find the areas of great methane concentration to conduct further research and harvest the methane. This design could potentially solve numerous problems, and therefore, creates an advantage over traditional methods.
Methane (CH4)
Green Fluorescent Protein
HpnR
1
1
1
0
0
0
There are three main methods that are used to contain methane hydrates. First, the microbes that appear during sudden climate changes cannot regulate methane levels at any time. They are only active in favorable conditions and are dormant until enough food source is available. Next, the design does not provide an advantage over the energy-converting technique. However, it expedites the energy conversion process. The glow produced by the green fluorescent protein will help researchers and private companies identify areas that have high methane levels. Also, current technology for extraction involves flooding hydrates and depressurizing them. This procedure releases excess methane into the atmosphere and is extremely expensive. The bacteria provide a simple alternative by removing extra methane before companies and agencies start working on the site.
Because this design has not been tested, the bacteria’s behavior is mostly unknown; therefore, their reaction to new genes and exposure to harsh climates could produce harmful effects. For example, the bacteria may breakthrough and spread rapidly if not studied in a contained environment. As a result, the scientists that work with the bacteria are also under great danger. They must experiment in a controlled area without halogens or other gases. Wearing protective equipment such as: breathing masks, gloves and goggles is key to prevent contamination. Finally, the bacteria may vary in the type of reaction it produces at two different extremes. It may have an accelerated reaction rate and quickly consume all the methane. This result will prevent companies from converting the remaining methane into usable energy. However, a slow, poor reaction could still leave excess methane.
In order to test the effectiveness of the system, the bacteria will be exposed to methane in underwater conditions. This method involves limiting oxygen levels, creating a dark climate, and cooling to freezing levels. Once accomplished the bacteria will be released onto the permafrost and the ice and will be able to reproduce. Over time, scientists can determine whether the methane levels changed. If the methane levels decreased and the bacteria glow the experiment was successful. Our testing would help improve the system by identifying ways to enhance the system and identify flaws. Once tests are run scientists can determine if there are additional features that need to be added. Also if by products are produced then we can insert genes to attack those new products or counteract the effects.
Because of the advancements in synthetic biology just in the past ten years, methanotrophs can be the solution to methane emission into the atmosphere. If genetically modified, they can easily metabolize threatening hydrate formations and help researchers locate sizable concentrations. Maybe in the near future, methane will be out of the picture as a greenhouse gas.
Methanotrophs: Engineered for Success
Methane hydrates are formations of ice which trap methane molecules within its cage-like structure. They can be found under Arctic permafrost, on the ocean floor, and inside glaciers. When warmed or depressurized, the hydrate will dissociate into water and methane, and the natural gas can be extracted by drills. In energy content, the separated methane could potentially exceed all other fossil fuels combined. Although the extraction of this natural gas seems beneficial, it can be harmful to the atmosphere if not harvested properly. The methane released from this ice can quickly accelerate the earth’s carbon cycle by releasing 164 cubic meters of gas per cubic meter of hydrate. The effect of that kind of release would be devastating on the atmosphere. There are bacteria existing in nature that “eat” or metabolize methane; however, they only act when there are large incidents such as oil spills or dramatic temperature changes. The ultimate goal is develop a system that prevents methane releases before they occur.
There are presently three current solutions to methane emission into the atmosphere. For example, governmental agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy conduct research by mapping the ocean in search of methane hydrate concentrations. Researchers also predict methane’s effect on climate and the environment. However, even if the location of these hydrates can be determined, not every harmful area can be accounted for. Methane will continue to be released at an increasing rate into the atmosphere. Another solution to this greenhouse gas was found by MIT in 2012 during an oil spill. Scientists discovered that whenever there was a sudden appearance of methane, methanotrophs become active and metabolized the molecule. After intensive research, they found that a certain gene, called HpnR, controls this process. The problem with this bacteria is that they only act when there is a large change in gas levels. Therefore, small but still harmful accumulations of methane are ignored by the bacteria and can continue to act as a damaging greenhouse gas. A third solution is simply to extract it from the ice before methane emissions reach alarming levels. Besides the fact that some methane escapes due to the extraction process, obtaining the energy is extremely expensive. Specialized drills must be used to pump hot water and carbon dioxide into the formation so that the methane can be released. Although these technologies are effective, natural gas is still weakening the Earth’s atmosphere. Genetically modifying bacteria and inserting genes solves these major lapses and further improves harvesting methods.
So that methane levels can be regulated, a methanotroph or methane-eating bacteria must be genetically modified so that its activity is accelerated in the presence of CH4. The design of this project revolves around the insertion of a single gene, HpnR. This bacterial gene enables microbes to survive in an oxygen-depleted environment until food such as methane becomes available. The HpnR gene codes for a protein that later produces a lipid known as 3-methylhopanoids. The production of this lipid explains why microbes are able to make such a sudden appearance during favorable conditions. However, this specific gene is limited to certain bacteria. Only organisms who depend on a fluctuating food source like methane have the HpnR gene. But, because of recent advancements in synthetic biology, the ability to insert a new gene into a bacteria now exists by use of the plasmid, a ring of bacterial DNA. This process can be used to insert the HpnR gene into methane-consuming bacteria that survive near methane hydrates. If introduced to these plasmids, these methane munchers would increase in population around large amounts of the hydrate. However, if the bacteria finds a sizable volume researchers and scientists would not know. Therefore, if a glowing pigment, such as GFP was produced by the bacteria in response to the presence of CH4, scientists could identify a large population of methane-eating bacteria and consequently methane hydrate.
The Cell design:
The ideal execution of this process can lead to dramatic advances in containing and locating methane hydrates. If the design functions as created, the environmental stimulus would trigger two genes to be activated. First the methane from the environment binds with the receptors on the membrane. Then, by means of a biochemical cascade, the secondary messengers trigger the promoter which initiates a sequence that creates mRNA. The mRNA is then sent to a ribosome to carry out its function. If the bacteria behaves properly, there should be two immediate changes in the world of methane hydrates. The amount of emissions released into the atmosphere will decrease dramatically, and the fluorescent protein will allow researchers to find the areas of great methane concentration to conduct further research and harvest the methane. This design could potentially solve numerous problems, and therefore, creates an advantage over traditional methods.
There are three main methods that are used to contain methane hydrates. First, the microbes that appear during sudden climate changes cannot regulate methane levels at any time. They are only active in favorable conditions and are dormant until enough food source is available. Next, the design does not provide an advantage over the energy-converting technique. However, it expedites the energy conversion process. The glow produced by the green fluorescent protein will help researchers and private companies identify areas that have high methane levels. Also, current technology for extraction involves flooding hydrates and depressurizing them. This procedure releases excess methane into the atmosphere and is extremely expensive. The bacteria provide a simple alternative by removing extra methane before companies and agencies start working on the site.
Because this design has not been tested, the bacteria’s behavior is mostly unknown; therefore, their reaction to new genes and exposure to harsh climates could produce harmful effects. For example, the bacteria may breakthrough and spread rapidly if not studied in a contained environment. As a result, the scientists that work with the bacteria are also under great danger. They must experiment in a controlled area without halogens or other gases. Wearing protective equipment such as: breathing masks, gloves and goggles is key to prevent contamination. Finally, the bacteria may vary in the type of reaction it produces at two different extremes. It may have an accelerated reaction rate and quickly consume all the methane. This result will prevent companies from converting the remaining methane into usable energy. However, a slow, poor reaction could still leave excess methane.
In order to test the effectiveness of the system, the bacteria will be exposed to methane in underwater conditions. This method involves limiting oxygen levels, creating a dark climate, and cooling to freezing levels. Once accomplished the bacteria will be released onto the permafrost and the ice and will be able to reproduce. Over time, scientists can determine whether the methane levels changed. If the methane levels decreased and the bacteria glow the experiment was successful. Our testing would help improve the system by identifying ways to enhance the system and identify flaws. Once tests are run scientists can determine if there are additional features that need to be added. Also if by products are produced then we can insert genes to attack those new products or counteract the effects.
Because of the advancements in synthetic biology just in the past ten years, methanotrophs can be the solution to methane emission into the atmosphere. If genetically modified, they can easily metabolize threatening hydrate formations and help researchers locate sizable concentrations. Maybe in the near future, methane will be out of the picture as a greenhouse gas.